7 Days Best of Nyungwe and Akarega Safari takes you to two of Rwanda’s most visited primates’ destinations that is Nyungwe forest national park which is a home to the endangered chimpanzees and 12 other species of primates. Trekking chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest is one of the most scenic experiences under the montane rainforest and walking on a canopy above the forest is an added beautiful experience. Akagera national park which is located in the eastern part of Rwanda in the savannah areas good for wildlife experience especially to see the big five game. Enjoy remarkable game drives for animals such as Buffaloes, Antelopes, Elephants, Giraffes, Leopards, Hyenas, lions, rhinos to mention a few. Other excursions include visiting Lake Kivu bordering Congo and a city tour in Kigali city.
Highlights of the 7 Days Best of Nyungwe and Akarega Safari
- Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Rwanda/Kigali city tour
- Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe forest national park
- Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking and Canopy walk
- Day 4: Transfer to Kigali city
- Day 5: Transfer to Akagera national park
- Day 6: Game drive and boat trip on Lake Ihema
- Day 7: Return to Kigali – Departure
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Rwanda
Upon arrival at Kigali international airport with your confirmed booked flight, you will be met by your safari driver who will be your guide throughout the trip, meet and greet, pack your luggage in the safari vehicle and drive to your booked accommodation in Kigali city. Depending on your time of arrival, doing a city tour on this day will be the best. Visit some of the interesting places in Kigali including the Kigali genocide memorial, drive to one of the hills in Kigali for a city view and a market tour. Return in the evening to your Hotel for dinner and overnight stay
- Luxury option: Kigali Serena Hotel
- Mid-range option: Des Mille Collins Hotel
- Budget option: Step Town Motel
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe forest national park
On the 2nd day of your 7 Days Best of Nyungwe and Akarega SafariAfter enjoying your delicious breakfast at leisure, embark on your journey to Nyungwe forest national park which is a 6-7 hours’ drive from Kigali. Drive through the rolling hills and great views of Virunga Mountains. Upon arrival in Nyumgwe forest, connect to your booked lodge for dinner and overnight stay at your booked lodge
- Luxury option: One and Only Nyungwe House
- Mid-range option: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
- Budget option: Gisakura Visitors Centre
Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk
On the 3rd day of your 7 Days Best of Nyungwe and Akarega Safari, Enjoy breakfast and go for briefing about the endangered chimpanzees before entering the forest in search of the active and playful fellows in Nyungwe forest. The Chimpanzees are much easier to spot as they jump from one tree to another, chattering and laughing. Chimpanzee tracking usually takes about 3 hours. On finding them, spend an hour while taking pictures and videos before you drive back to your lodge for lunch.
Connect for a canopy walk. You will go on a walking trail that will take you to the Canopy Walk-a swing bridge 50 meters in length that is suspended from large trees; you will be able to see the amazing rainforest with a bird’s eye view, spotting wildlife moving below you. Dinner and overnight stay at provided lodge as above
Day 4: Transfer to Kigali – Rwanda
After breakfast, check-out of the hotel and transfer to Kigali with en-route visit of Rwanda national museum in Butare and Nyanza Kinga’s palace in Huye with en-route lunch. It’s a 6-7 hours’ drive to Kigali. Upon arrival in Kigali, locate your hotel to rest. Spend your evening relaxing at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at
- Luxury option: Kigali Serena Hotel
- Mid-range option: Des Mille Collins Hotel
- Budget option: Step Town Motel
Day 5: Arrival and transfer to Akagera national park – evening game drive
After breakfast, set off to Akagera national park located in the eastern part of Rwanda. This are is different from the other hilly areas of Rwanda given this savannah vegetation cover and relatively flat area. It’s a 2-3 hours’ drive to Akagera national park from Kigali. Arrive at the park late morning, proceed to check-in your lodge, have lunch and enjoy an evening game drive. Before nightfall, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay
- Luxury option: Ruzizi tented camp
- Mid-range option: Akagera game lodge
- Budget option: Dereva hotel
Day 6: Game drive and Lake Ihema boat cruise.
On Day 6 of your 7 Days Best of Nyungwe and Akarega Safari, after a morning breakfast, you will embark on your morning game drive around the park for a rewarding wildlife views. Expect to encounter the Big five including the Lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, cape buffaloes and the recently introduced Rhinos along with other animals including; giraffes, warthogs, waterbucks, zebras, hyenas and different antelope species. Expect to also see over 500 species of birds. The game drive may last for about 3-4 hours. Return to lodge for lunch and relax as you wait for the next activity.
In the afternoon, the driver will pick up for a boat cruise on Lake Ihema-the second largest lake in Rwanda after Lake Kivu. The boat trip exposes you to plenty of wildlife on the lake shores which come to cool off and drink water including hippos, buffaloes, huge crocodiles and birds such as malachite kingfisher and fish eagle. After the amazing boat trip, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay
Day 7: Return to Kigali – Departure
After breakfast, check-out of the lodge and transfer back to Kigali. Upon arrival in Kigali, have lunch and proceed to Kigali airport for your onward flight back home.
End of safari
